Utility package for heating or cooling liquids and food

ABSTRACT

A self-heating package with an inner and outer bag. Heating is provided from the inner bag to the content in the outer bag. The package may be supported by an external box or a utility bag. Additional foam layer is provided to insulate the self-heating package. The utility bag may also provide heating from its internal chamber, thus increasing the heating to the bag-in-bag package.

RELATED APPLICATION

This non-provisional application claims priority under 35 USC Sec. 119 (e) on U.S. provisional application No. 60/739,241, filed on Nov. 23, 2005, the entire disclosure is herein incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to packages for heating or cooling liquids or food, and more particularly relates to disposable self-heating packages for heating or cooling liquids or foods. Additionally, the present invention relates to a combination of such a disposable self-heating package with a reusable utility bag to provide additional heating or cooling effect to the content of the disposable package.

ART BACKGROUND

Hot water is used for a number of essential purposes in the outdoors, from personal hygiene, cleaning and sanitation, to preparing hot beverages and re-hydrating compressed foods. An “outdoor” environment may include places and activities relating camping, hiking, sailing, rock-climbing, watching a football game in a stadium, or attending an outdoor concert. Military deployment is an example of a more arduous outdoor activity, where hot water serves some essential purposes but remains difficult to obtain.

In the case of military deployment, a field kitchen typically uses fuel-fired burners to heat water in large stockpots. For hot beverages, water is heated to a boil, transferred to insulated beverage dispensers, and transported throughout the field. Alternatively, mounted personnel may be supported by Mounted Water Ration Heaters, which are available for use in vehicles (e.g. Abrams, Bradley, HMMWV, and STRYKER).

Military deployment tends to operate in less-than-desirable environments. There is often insufficient personnel and equipment available to distribute hot water throughout the field, particularly for small groups of infantry personnel operating remotely. Furthermore, hot water is typically consumed quickly, or cools when stored for an extended period. The military's developmental “Unitized Group Ration—Express” (“UGR-E”) will provide group meals to groups of personnel operating away from the field kitchen or squad stove assets, but it does not currently include a water heating capability to provide hot beverages. The desire for a hot beverage has been expressed as a recurring need through field evaluation at Ft. Richardson, Ark. Accordingly, there has been a need for a disposable, multi-serving, instant hot water dispenser to support small group forces operating remotely.

In addition to military applications, such disposable self-heating packages could also be quite useful in civilian, emergency, disaster relief and recreational applications, where hot beverages are desired and often essential. Such packages may be only for individual serving, or for group serving.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The hot water dispenser in accordance with the present invention would provide approximately 0.5 L to 19 L of hot water in a low-cost, expandable self-heating package that may be made fully disposable. The expandable package would be produced and shipped in collapsed form (about the size of a notebook), providing a small, lightweight package that could be conveniently distributed in the field. An integral heating element would preferably provide the heat necessary to raise the temperature of the water to a desirable temperature, e.g. 170 F in 30 minutes. The heater would be capable of maintaining 0.5 L to 19 L, or 16 to 90 8-ounce beverage servings, for more than two hours after the one-time heater activation.

At the time of use, the disposable self-heating package in accordance with the present invention would be unfolded and filled with potable water. To conveniently prepare hot coffee, hot cocoa, cappuccino or tea, pre-packaged beverage sachets, like those currently used in the military's Unitized Group Ration (UGR) (e.g. the coffee filter pack), could be inserted into the package. Depending on cost, convenience and customer factors, various beverage sachets could be packaged within the self-heating package at the time of manufacture to further improve the convenience of the package. The self-heating package could also be used with the recently developed military Drink-Pack beverage bags, which contain an instant beverage and include a re-sealable zipper closure that eliminates the need for additional cups. Furthermore, special-purpose rations, including the Go-To-War Ration, could be coupled to cases of Long-Rang-Patrol and Cold-Weather Rations to provide groups of 12 to 18 personnel hot water for preparation of hot beverages and/or ration hydration.

Another embodiment of the self-heating package of the present invention has the following salient characteristics: The package would consist of a “bag-in-box” package that would, when unfolded, be filled with a little more than 500 ml to 19 L of water, or enough for 18-90 8-ounce servings. The outer box could be folded, or collapsed, for compact storage and transport, and after unfolding and expanded, filling and activation, serve to insulate the heated contents. The “bag” inside the box has an inner bag for self-heating and an outer bag for storing the beverage, where heating is from the inside out.

Alternative package configurations (cube, tall/slender, etc.) could be used to minimize the cost and bulk associated with the package, yet optimizing heating effectiveness. Various fitments (caps, spouts, faucets etc.) could be adapted to provide ease-of-use, disposability and long-term shelf-stability, while minimizing size, weight, and cost of the total package.

Instead of the “bag-in-box” package, the self-heating package may further be placed inside a reusable utility package. The utility package, which could be made of ballistic nylon, PE foam or foam, serves both as an insulating jacket for the self-heating package, and as a heating (or cooling) chamber for heating (or cooling) a can, bottle, shelf-stable tray food, or zipper pouch containing various food, from the outside. Heating can be achieved by adding heating elements while cooling can be achieved by adding cooling chemicals.

Self-heating or user-activated heating elements could also be used, including water-activated and self-contained chemical heaters in another “bag-in-bag” combination. The heating element would be placed in the inner bag for heating the contents of the outer bag. The heating element may be any exothermic chemicals, e.g. magnesium ferrite alloy (MgFe alloy), which can be activated by adding water. The water can be added from the outside, or self-contained with the MgFe alloy and activated when a pouch containing the water is torn open by a pull string mechanism. Such heating activation mechanism has been disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 5,465,707, entitled “SELF HEATING INDIVIDUAL MEAL PACKAGE,” issued to the inventor of the present application. The content of this US Patent is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

In accordance with the present invention, the heating element heats “inside-out” from the inner bag immersed in the outer bag containing the beverage. This “bag-in-bag” combination maximizes the heating contact between the inside heating element and the beverage, thus achieving optimal heating performance.

Outside of the outer bag, another foam layer, or foam pouch, may be used to further insulate the heated beverage from the ambience. The combined foam pouch and “bag-in-bag” may further be placed within a cardboard box for easy handling. An exemplary foldable cardboard box has been disclosed by U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/897,516, filed on Jul. 23, 2004 by the inventor of the present application, entitled “DISPENSER FOR HOT AND COLD BEVERAGES AND FOOD.” The entire content of the US Patent Application is incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

FIGS. 1(a) and (b) are simplified drawings illustrating the self-heating package 11 in accordance with the present invention.

FIGS. 2(a) and (b) are simplified drawings illustrating the “bag-in-box” packaging in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 3(a)-(d) are simplified drawings illustrating the bag for the “bag-in-box” packaging in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4(a) is a simplified drawing illustrating the reusable utility package for providing additional heating or cooling and/or insulation to the self-heating package in accordance with the present invention. FIGS. 4(b)-(c) illustrate that the utility package can be folded from both ends to form a compact size.

FIG. 5 is a simplified drawing illustrating the utility package's storage compartment and the collapsible drinking cups in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Utility packages and combination packages for heating/cooling food or beverages are disclosed. In the description that follows, although reference is made mostly to “heating,” it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that both “heating” and “cooling” may be used interchangeably.

A. “Bag-in-Bag ” Package

Referring first to FIG. 1(a), the self-heating package 11 has an outer bag 10 and an inner bag 12. The inner bag 12 contains the exothermic heating element (e.g. MgFe) 13 and water 14, which are not mixed together until ready for use. The water 14 may be added by the user through the vent 17, or be contained in an accompanying pouch (not shown) which can be torn open when it is ready to be mixed with the heating element 13 (preferably already placed in the inner bag 12). The outer bag 10 stores the liquid or beverage 15 to be heated, which may be filled (or re-filled) through the fitment 16. When the heating element 13 is mixed with the water 14, the inner bag 12 heats up while immersed in the beverage 15 of the outer bag 10, thus heating the beverage 15 to a desired temperature. Steam produced by the reaction in the inner bag 12 is let out through the vent 17. It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that an adequate mix of heating element and water depends on the volume and the desired temperature of the beverage to be heated.

The fitment 16 may be a pour-out placed at a higher position, or a drink tube with clip or a faucet at a lower position, dependent on the particular design.

In this embodiment, no external box is needed to hold or support the outer bag 10, since heating begins from the inside out. The configuration thus requires fewer components and remains easy to use. The inner bag 12 can be made of a multi-layered aluminum laminated foil with sealing layers (e.g. PE) on both inside and outside (thus “symmetrical”). The outer bag 10 could be made of a laminated film material. The outer bag 10 can be constructed such that it expands its base when it is weighted down, thus making it self-standing when filled with the beverage 15.

The “bag-in-bag” embodiment can be easily adapted for individual serving or for multiple serving dimensions, as should be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

B. “Bag-in-Bag” with a Foam Pouch

If a foam pouch (FIG. 1(b), 18) is used to enclose the outer bag 10, the heat generated by the inner bag 12 would be better maintained by the foam pouch or enclosure 18. The foam pouch 18 may be made larger so that it has an internal chamber (not shown) between itself and the self-heating bag. The internal chamber of the foam pouch or enclosure could be used as additional heating or cooling chamber if provided with heating or cooling element. Heating or cooling can be provided from both inside 14 and outside 16. Alternately, steam produced could be circulated from the vent 17 to internal chamber 16 formed between the outer bag 10 and the foam pouch 18 for further heating of the beverage 15. Such reheating, as can be appreciated by those skilled in the art, is more advantageous due to its efficiency.

C. “Bag-in-Bag” within a Box

As shown in FIGS. 2(a), 3(a) and 3(b), another embodiment of bag-in-bag 3, with or without a foam pouch 18, could be placed within a foldable cardboard box 20. The pour-out fitment 31 would be repositioned to be aligned to an opening 22 on the box 20. The vent 36 would also be repositioned to be aligned to an opening 21 on the box 20. The box 20 may be made of plastic or cardboard material, as previously described. An plastic handle may be attached to the top of the box 20 for easy handling.

The inner bag 32, which is preferably a multi-layered aluminum laminated foil, may have one fitment as the vent 36 (FIG. 3(b)), if the vent fitment is not already implemented on the outer bag 30. FIG. 3(b) reveals the inner bag 32 partially drawn out from the outer bag 30. Regardless, the inner bag 32 preferably has one opening for providing access to the heating elements within, which may, or may not, be used with a vent fitment. The inner bag 32 is preferably a symmetrical film, with sealing coats on the inside and the outside, thus allowing the inner bag 32 to be sealed with the outer bag 30, when the outer bag 30 is sealed.

The outer bag 30 preferably has one fitment 31, or two fitments 31, 36, if the vent fitment 36 is not already implemented on the inner bag 32. The outer bag 30 preferably has two openings formed thereon, one for the dispensing fitment 31 and the other for the vent fitment 36, even if the vent fitment 36 is implemented on the inner bag 32.

As shown in FIGS. 2(b) and 3(c), the pour-out fitment is now replaced by a faucet 37 at a lower position 23.

D. “Bag-in-Bag” within a Foam Pouch and within a Box

If a box carrier is implemented, the “bag-in-bag” combinations as shown in FIG. 3 can also be the “bag-in-bag with foam” combination as shown in FIG. 1(b). In this combination, steam generated may also be redirected to reheat the outer bag 30, instead of being let out through the vent 36.

FIG. 3(d) shows an outer bag 30 and inner bag 32, with only the opening provided and without the fitment. The opening 33 allows the steam from the inner bag's reaction to vent out and be directed to spacing provided between the foam pouch and the outer bag 30.

E. “Bag-in-Bag” in an Insulating Jacket (“Utility Insulating Bag”)

Referring to FIGS. 4(a), (b), (c) and FIG. 5, a reusable utility bag 4 is illustrated. The utility bag 4 may serve as an insulating jacket for holding the self-heating package 11, as illustrated in FIG. 1. The utility bag 4 has an external compartment 41 for holding utensils or cups (FIG. 5). The utility bag 4 can be folded from both ends to a compact size, and compacted by a pair of exemplary quick-release buckles 43(a), (b) for portability and storage. The utility bag 4 preferably has an angled opening 44 for the fitment 16 of the self-heating package 11. The top and side of the utility bag 4 can be closed preferably by Velcro enclosure or any zipper 45 (e.g. double-slide, or single-slide) enclosure.

The utility bag 4 can also serve as an external heating utensil, by placing heating elements within its internal chamber. Upon activation, the utility bag 4 becomes a portable container for heating (or cooling) purposes. With the utility bag 4, the “bag-in-bag” package 11 can be heated not only from its inner bag 12, but also from the inside chamber of the utility bag 4. To facilitate heating, the inside chamber of the utility bag 4 is preferably made of insulated water-tight ballistic nylon material. The heating element may be any exothermic heating elements, e.g. MgFe, or other common military heating chemicals.

Referring back to FIG. 1(b), the foam bag 10 may also have chemicals at its internal chamber 16 for heating or cooling the inner bag 12. Instead of the nylon or ballistic nylon shown in FIG. 4, the foam bag 10 provides a more compact size.

FIG. 5 illustrates collapsible plastic cups that can be stored in the utility bag's compartment 41.

To summarize, without limiting, the salient features of the self-heating package and combination package can be expressed as follows:

A. Inner Bag:

-   -   Used for or chemical heating.     -   Preferably made of a multi-layered aluminum laminated foil with         sealing layers (PE) on both sides (“symmetrical”).     -   May have one fitment if the fitment not already implemented with         the outer bag. It should have an opening for providing access to         the interior of the inner bag, with or without the fitment.     -   The heating element can be triggered by tear-open water pouch or         by added water from an external pouch upon usage. The external         pouch may have a fitment for easy pouring or feeding tube         extending from the pouch, thus making the pouch re-usable.         Alternately, the external pouch may just have a tear-off tube,         making the pouch disposable after each use.     -   The heating element is exothermic chemicals.     -   The water added is plain water. Saline water may be used, if the         chemical already have salt in it.

B. Outer Bag (Fitment Bag)

-   -   Preferably made of laminated film material.     -   Holds the beverage or liquid to be heated.     -   Has one or two fitments, one for dispensing and the other for         access to the heating chamber for heating.     -   Either stand-up pouch with fitment for individual serving, or         flat bag for multiple servings.

C. Foam Layer (or Foam Pouch)

-   -   Helps maintain the temperature achieved by the outer bag.     -   An exemplary foam bag or foam layer construction is illustrated         in the aforementioned co-pending U.S. patent application Ser.         No. 10/897,516. The foam may be a lined layer on the inner         surface of the box, or a pouch enclosing the outer bag.         Chemicals (heating or cooling) can be added to its internal         chamber (FIG. 1(b), 16) for providing additional heating or         cooling.

D. Box

-   -   Preferably made of cardboard or plastic material.     -   An exemplary construction is illustrated in the aforementioned         co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/897,516.

E. Utility Bag

-   -   Allows heating from inside its chamber, thus providing         additional heating to the self-heating “bag-in-bag.”     -   Also serves as utensil pouch for heating in its inside chamber.

Method of Making and Using the Bag-in-Bag Combination:

A. Put inner bag into the outer bag, with a spacer material (e.g. non-stick shield material) placed in-between the vent portion (optional step; alternate material can be used to block the sealing). The inner bag is aligned such that the vent portion will remain on the outside of the outer bag when the outer bag's perimeter is sealed. The opening provides access as well as lets the steam out. The outer bag is PE- or plastic-laminated flexible material.

B. Heat-Seal the outer bag's perimeter. The spacer prevents the vent portion from being sealed closed, whiled the vent's outside portion is sealed to the perimeter of the outer bag.

C. Put heating chemicals (e.g. exothermic chemicals) in powder or tablet form into the inner bag.

D. Pour the beverage or liquid into the outer bag.

E. Activate the heating element by adding water, or by tearing open a water pouch already placed within the inner bag. A preferred embodiment is to use plain water to activate exothermic chemical.

In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments thereof. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention. The specification and drawings are accordingly to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. 

1. A self-heating package for heating and dispensing a liquid, comprising: an inner bag, having a first access port to the inside of the inner bag; an outer bag, said outer bag being disposed to store said liquid, having a second access port to the inside of the outer bag and an opening aligned with said first access port, said inner bag being positioned inside said outer bag, such that said inner bag is substantially immersed in said liquid in said outer bag; an exothermic chemical inside the inner bag, said exothermic chemical being adapted to generate heat upon activation.
 2. The self-heating package of claim 1, further comprising: an internal water pouch placed inside said inner bag, said water pouch having water therein, said water pouching having a pull string to open said water pouch, thus causing said water to activate said exothermic chemical.
 3. The self-heating package of claim 1, further comprising: an external water pouch for storing water, said water being adapted to activate said exothermic chemical, said external water pouch having a feed tube for feeding said water into said inner bag through said first access port.
 4. The self-heating package of claim 1, further comprising: a foam pouch enclosing said outer bag for providing insulation.
 5. The self-heating package of claim 4, wherein said foam pouch has an internal chamber for providing additional heating to said outer bag.
 6. The self-heating package of claim 1, further comprising: an external insulating bag for enclosing said self-heating package within, said insulating bag having an internal chamber for facilitating additional heating from said inside chamber to said self-heating package.
 7. The self-heating package of claim 4, wherein said inner bag is adapted to vent to a spacing between said foam pouch and said outer bag through said first access port.
 8. The self-heating package of claim 4, wherein: said inner bag is a symmetrical multi-layered aluminum laminated foil; said outer bag is laminated film material.
 9. The self-heating package of claim 8, wherein said inner bag and said outer bag have predetermined heat tolerance.
 10. The self-heating package of claim 1, wherein said outer bag has an expanding base so as to become self-standing when filled with said liquid.
 11. The self-heating package of claim 3, further comprising: an insulating utility bag for enclosing said self-heating package within, said utility bag having an internal chamber for facilitating additional heating to said self-heating package, said utility bag being controllably foldable into a compact form factor.
 12. A self-heating packaging for heating and dispensing liquid or food, comprising: an inner bag having a first access port into its interior; an outer bag having a second access port into its interior, said outer bag being adapted to store said liquid in its interior, said inner bag being placed within said outer bag such that said inner bag is substantially immersed in said liquid when said outer bag is filled with said liquid; a collapsible box, said box being adapted to contain said outer bag, said box having four side walls, said box having a first opening on one of said side walls and aligned to said first access port, and a second opening on one of said side walls and aligned to said second access port; an exothermic chemical within said inner bag, said chemical being adapted to generate heat upon activation with an activation water.
 13. The self-heating package of claim 12, further comprising: a water pouch for storing said activation water, said water pouch being placed within said inner bag, said water pouch being adapted to be torn open to allow said activation water to interact with said exothermic chemical.
 14. The self-heating package of claim 13, further comprising: a foam insulation layer placed between said outer bag and said box, for providing insulation to said outer bag, also for providing heating from the outside inward by use of exothermal chemicals.
 15. The self-heating package of claim 14, wherein said first access port is adapted to vent to spacing formed between said foam insulation and said outer bag after said exothermic chemical is activated by said activation water.
 16. The self-heating package of claim 15, wherein: said inner bag is a symmetrical multi-layered aluminum laminated foil; said outer bag is laminated film material.
 17. A utility bag combination, comprising: an external insulating bag, disposed to be foldable into a smaller form factor, said external insulating bag having an internal chamber, said internal chamber being disposed to provide a heating chamber; a self-heating bag, comprising: an inner bag, having a first access port to the inside of the inner bag; an outer bag, said outer bag being disposed to store said liquid, having a second access port to the inside of the outer bag and an opening aligned with said first access port, said inner bag being positioned inside said outer bag, such that said inner bag is substantially immersed in said liquid in said outer bag; an exothermic chemical inside the inner bag, said exothermic chemical being adapted to generate heat upon activation.
 18. The utility bag combination of claim 17, said self-heating bag further comprising: an internal water pouch placed inside said inner bag, said water pouch having water therein, said water pouching having an activation mechanism to activate said water to activate said exothermic chemical.
 19. The utility bag combination of claim 18, wherein: said inner bag is a symmetrical multi-layered aluminum laminated foil; said outer bag is laminated film material.
 20. The utility bag combination of claim 18, said external insulating bag having fastening means to help reduce said insulating bag into a smaller form factor, said external insulating bag also having a storage compartment.
 21. The utility bag combination of claim 18, further comprising at least one of: Zipper closure or Velcro closure. 